DE102019213835A1 - Method and device for identifying an additional consumer in an energy network - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting an additional consumer (54) in an energy network (10), using a power distribution unit (2) at least one electrical state variable (20) on at least one branch (53) of the energy network (10) with known electrical consumers (54) is detected, wherein the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) is compared by means of the power distribution unit (2) with a regular working area (8) of the at least one line branch (53), and a detection signal (2) is generated by the power distribution unit (2). 9) is generated and provided when the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) lies outside the regular working range (8) in a predetermined manner. The invention also relates to a device (1) for detecting an additional consumer (54) in an energy network (10).

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for recognizing an additional consumer in an energy network.

Modern motor vehicles have a large number of electrical consumers that are electrically connected to an energy source, in particular a battery, of the motor vehicle via an on-board network of the motor vehicle via various line branches. In this case, the on-board network is usually designed for a fixed, predetermined configuration in which a limited number of electrical consumers is supplied via individual branches of the on-board network. In order to ensure error-free operation, a configuration of a line branch should not be changed, in particular not by adding an additional electrical consumer in an inadmissible manner.

From the DE 10 2014 214 840 A1 a device for monitoring a high-voltage on-board network of an electrically operated vehicle for the presence of an overload is known, the high-voltage on-board network comprising one or more energy sources and / or one or more energy sinks as components, each of which is connected via a conductor string arrangement with a first supply potential line and are connected to a second supply potential line. Each of the components is assigned a current sensor which is designed to detect a current flowing through the relevant component and to transmit information representing the level of the current to an evaluation unit for evaluation To compare the current threshold and a second current threshold and to output a switch-off signal at least for the component assigned to the current sensor if the first criterion is the amount of the current and the duration of the amount of the current between the first and the second current threshold.

The invention is based on the object of creating a method and a device for recognizing an additional consumer in an energy network.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method with the features of claim 1 and a device with the features of claim 9. Advantageous refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

In particular, a method for identifying an additional consumer in an energy network is provided, with at least one electrical state variable on at least one branch of the energy network with known electrical consumers being recorded by means of a power distribution unit, the recorded at least one electrical state variable with a regular one by means of the power distribution unit Working area of the at least one line branch is compared, and wherein a detection signal is generated and provided by means of the power distribution unit if the detected at least one electrical state variable is outside the regular working area in a predetermined manner.

Furthermore, in particular a device for detecting an additional consumer in an energy network is created, comprising a power distribution unit, the power distribution unit being designed to detect at least one electrical state variable on at least one branch of the energy network with known electrical consumers, including the detected at least one electrical state variable to compare a regular working area of the at least one line branch, and to generate and provide a detection signal if the detected at least one electrical state variable is outside the regular working area in a predetermined manner.

The method and the device make it possible to identify an additional electrical consumer in an energy network. In this way, manipulation of an energy network designed for a predetermined number and a predetermined configuration of electrical loads can be detected. This is done by using a power distribution unit to detect at least one electrical state variable, for example an electrical current and / or an electrical power, on at least one line branch of the energy network with known electrical consumers. The detected at least one electrical state variable is compared by means of the power distribution unit with a regular working area of the at least one line branch. It can be provided, for example, that the regular working range includes regular working points (from current and voltage) that occur during normal operation of the at least one line branch. A detection signal is generated and provided by means of the power distribution unit if the comparison shows that the detected at least one electrical state variable is outside the regular working range in a predetermined manner. If, for example, a current and a voltage are recorded on the at least one branch of the line, the operating points calculated therefrom are compared with operating points that are included in the regular operating range. If the current working points are outside the regular working area, a detection signal is generated. The phrase "in a predetermined manner" is intended to mean in particular that a criterion that is checked during the comparison is selected in each case as a function of the specifically detected electrical state variable (s) or used for detection. If, for example, working points calculated from currents and voltages are considered, those areas outside the regular working area in which the power consumption of the line branch is increased are viewed as problematic. If, on the other hand, the at least one electrical state variable comprises only one electrical current, a detection signal is generated if the recorded current is above a regular value range for the current. For other electrical state variables, the regular working range is determined accordingly. The regular work area can in particular be determined empirically.

The advantage of the method and the device is that manipulation of a line branch of the energy network can be detected. An inadmissible addition of an electrical consumer in a line branch, for example an inadmissible retrofitting of an auxiliary heater in a motor vehicle, can be recognized in this way. In particular, it can thereby be ensured or monitored that the energy network is operated within the regular working areas of the line branches.

A power distribution unit, also referred to as a power distribution unit (PDU) or electronic power distribution unit (ePDU), comprises in particular electrical semiconductor fuses with which electrical branches of an energy network, in particular branches of an on-board network in a motor vehicle, are protected. In addition, at least one electrical current that flows via the individual line branches is recorded in each case by means of a current sensor of the power distribution unit. The detected electrical current is evaluated by a control device and, in particular, compared with a tripping current. If the detected electrical current exceeds the triggering current, an associated semiconductor fuse is triggered by means of the control device and an electrical connection to the electrical branch of the energy network is disconnected.

In particular, it is provided that for the at least one line branch a regular work area is or will be stored in the power distribution unit. This allows a permissible configuration of regular consumers in the energy network to be specified. If the energy network is, for example, an on-board network of a motor vehicle, the regular work area for a configuration of electrical consumers when manufacturing or authorized retrofitting of an electrical consumer can be loaded into a memory of the control device of the power distribution unit, for example.

It can be provided that the regular working area is determined or adapted as a function of the operating age of the electrical consumers in the energy network or on the line branches. In this way, normal aging behavior, which is reflected in the electrical state variables, can be taken into account. As a result, the regular work area can be determined or made available as a function of age, so that a regular work area made available for a particular age can be defined more selectively. The adaptation takes place, for example, by means of the control device of the power distribution unit, which for this purpose uses, for example, aging models known per se for electrical consumers.

In principle, the method can be used wherever a number and properties of electrical consumers on line branches of an energy network are known, i.e. where regular work areas can be determined.

In one embodiment it is provided that a change over time of the at least one state variable is determined, the detection signal being generated and provided when the detected at least one electrical state variable lies outside the regular working range in a predetermined manner and when the change over time exceeds a predetermined value . As a result, the detection of an additional electrical consumer added to a line branch of the energy network can be further improved. This is based on the knowledge that adding an additional consumer usually results in a sudden increase in the recorded electrical state variables. For example, an electric current and an electric power of the branch line increase by leaps and bounds with the addition. This effect is recorded via the change over time and used during detection. The predefined value for the change over time is determined and established on the basis of empirical tests, for example.

In one embodiment it is provided that at least one warning message is generated on the basis of the identification signal provided and transmitted to at least one predetermined recipient by means of a communication interface. A recipient of the warning message can in particular be an owner and / or an operator of the energy network. If the energy network is, for example, an on-board network of a motor vehicle, the predetermined receiver can be on Be the driver and / or vehicle owner of the motor vehicle, a dealer and / or a manufacturer of the motor vehicle. A warning message includes, for example, information on the at least one line branch and on the way in which the at least one electrical state variable has left the regular working range (eg “upper limit of the current in line branch X exceeded”).

In one embodiment it is provided that the at least one regular work area is determined or is determined on the basis of regular work areas of the electrical loads regularly supplied via the at least one line branch. For example, for each electrical consumer on a line branch, a regular working area can be determined or calculated for the respectively used at least one electrical state variable. The specific regular work areas of the electrical consumers are then merged into a regular work area of the line branch. If a current is used as the electrical state variable, for this purpose, for example, total currents can be formed for all possible combinations that can result from the individual regular work areas.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the energy network has a plurality of line branches, the comparison being carried out separately for each line branch and a regular work area corresponding in each case to the line branch being used. This enables individual line branches to be monitored. This also makes it possible to provide information about the line branch to which an electrical consumer has been added.

In one embodiment it is provided that a comparison result is provided together with the detection signal, the comparison result comprising at least information on the way in which the at least one electrical state variable has left the regular working range (e.g. "upper limit of the current in branch X exceeded").

In one embodiment it is provided that a period of time is determined for which the at least one electrical state variable lies outside the regular working range in the specified manner, the detection signal not being generated and provided until the specific period of time has reached or exceeded a minimum period of time. The at least one state variable must then leave the regular work area at least for the minimum period of time so that the detection signal is generated and made available. This can prevent short-term fluctuations in the detected at least one state variable from leading to the provision of the detection signal. A predetermined period of time can be one to a few seconds, for example.

In one embodiment it is provided that the energy network is an on-board network of a motor vehicle, the power distribution unit being a power distribution unit of the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment it is provided that by means of the power distribution unit at least one electrical state variable of each electrical consumer of the at least one line branch is detected and / or queried, the comparison being a difference formation between an electrical state variable aggregated from the queried at least one state variable and the detected electrical state variable comprises on the at least one branch of the line, wherein a detection signal is only generated when a difference exceeds a threshold value. The at least one electrical state variable can be queried, for example, via a controller area network (CAN) bus or another bus system using an interface designed for this purpose.

In one embodiment it is provided that at least one further criterion must be met so that an additional electrical consumer is recognized in the energy network. This further improves the detection of an additional consumer. For example, a pattern recognition of a time profile of the detected electrical state variable can take place, with an additional electrical load being recognized and a recognition signal being generated and provided when a predetermined pattern is recognized. The pattern recognition is carried out in particular by means of the power distribution unit. The pattern recognition can in particular comprise a Fourier transformation and / or be carried out using methods of machine learning or artificial intelligence. For example, the start-up behavior of the electrical consumers can change due to an additional consumer. The start-up behavior can be differentiated from a regular start-up behavior by means of a pattern recognition process and can therefore be used as a further criterion.

Further features for the configuration of the device emerge from the description of configurations of the method. The advantages of the device are in each case the same as in the embodiments of the method.

Furthermore, in particular, a motor vehicle is also created, comprising at least one device according to the invention, wherein the energy network is an on-board network of the motor vehicle. In particular in a motor vehicle, where the on-board network is designed for a limited and precisely defined number and type of electrical consumers, the method and the device can be used to detect an unauthorized addition of electrical consumers so that suitable measures can be taken.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Erkennen eines zusätzlichen Verbrauchers in einem Energienetz;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung zur Verdeutlichung einer Ausführungsform des Verfahrens zum Erkennen eines zusätzlichen Verbrauchers in einem Energienetz.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Here show:

• 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device for detecting an additional consumer in an energy network;
• 2 a schematic representation to illustrate an embodiment of the method for detecting an additional consumer in an energy network.

In 1 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the apparatus 1 to recognize an additional consumer 55 in an energy network 10 shown. The device 1 is in a motor vehicle 50 arranged, the power grid 10 is an on-board network 51 of the motor vehicle 50 .

The device 1 includes a power distribution unit 2 , which is a battery 52 of the motor vehicle 50 with individual branches 53 of the electrical system 51 connects. Via the branches of the line 53 become individual electrical consumers 54 provided.

The power distribution unit 2 comprises a control device 3 and a storage device 4th . The control device 3 is designed as a combination of hardware and software, for example as program code that is executed on a microcontroller or microprocessor. Furthermore, the power distribution unit comprises 2 Semiconductor fuses 5 to secure the line branches 53 and current sensors 6th for recording electrical currents 7th on the branches 53 . The semiconductor fuses 5 are controlled by the control device 3 depending on the current sensors 6th recorded currents 7th controlled. In particular, there is an electrical connection to a line branch 53 by means of the semiconductor fuses 5 disconnected when a detected current 7th reaches or exceeds a tripping current.

The one from the power distribution unit 2 recorded currents 7th are called the electrical state variable 20th used. For each of the line branches 53 compares the power distribution unit 2 the recorded current 7th with a regular work area 8th of the line branch 53 . The regular work areas 8th are in the storage device 4th the power distribution unit 2 and are stored from there by the control device 3 retrieved for comparison.

The energy network 10 or electrical system 51 has several branches 53 so the comparison is made for each line branch 53 separately, each with one of the branches 53 Corresponding regular work area 8th is used.

What remains is a number and a configuration of the electrical consumers 54 in the electrical system 51 the same, the electrical state variables change 20th usually only within the regular work area 8th .

Becomes a branch of the line 53 of the electrical system 51 however, an additional electrical consumer 55 added, the recorded electrical state variables change 20th on this branch of the line 53 and are outside the regular work area 8th . In the example shown, in particular the one on the corresponding branch of the line increases 53 detected electric current 7th by adding the additional electrical consumer 55 by leaps and bounds.

Is the recorded electrical state variable 20th , that is to say in particular the detected electrical current 7th , in a predetermined manner outside of the regular work area 8th of the service branch under consideration 53 so generates the control device 3 the power distribution unit 2 a detection signal 9 and provides this, for example in the identification signal 9 is issued. With electricity 7th as a recorded state variable 20th includes leaving the regular work area 8th exceeding a predetermined current threshold value.

The addition of an unauthorized additional electrical consumer 55 can in this way by means of the device 1 be recognized.

In addition to measuring the current 7th can be additional electrical state variables 20th recorded and taken into account when comparing. For example, a voltage can also be applied to the line branches 53 recorded and taken into account when comparing. Also the determination of working points, in particular from a recorded current 7th and a detected voltage can also be used to detect an additional electrical load 55 are used, in particular by means of a comparison with working points that are defined by the regular working range 8th can be specified.

It can be provided that a change over time 11 the at least one electrical state variable 20th is determined, the detection signal 9 is generated and provided when the detected at least one electrical state variable 20th in a predetermined manner outside of the regular work area 8th lies and if the particular change in time 11 exceeds a specified value. In the present example, the predefined value can be, for example, a current change of 10% (or 20%...) Of a current value of the current per unit of time. Alternatively, an absolute value can also be specified.

It can be provided that on the basis of the identification signal provided 9 at least one warning message 12th generated and by means of a communication interface 13th the power distribution unit 2 is transmitted to at least one predetermined recipient.

It can be provided that the at least one regular work area 8th on the basis of regular work areas of the regular over the at least one line branch 53 supplied electrical consumers 54 is determined or is determined. For example, an upper limit of a value range (= regular working range) of a current can be determined by a sum of the upper limits of value ranges (= regular working ranges) of the currents of the individual electrical loads 54 are formed.

It can be provided that together with the identification signal 9 a comparison result 14th is provided, the comparison result 14th includes at least one piece of information about the manner in which the at least one electrical state variable has left the regular working range (eg “upper limit of the current in branch X exceeded”). In the example described, the information includes the indication that the recorded current 7th has exceeded a current threshold.

It can be provided that a period of time 15th is determined for which the at least one electrical state variable 20th in the specified manner outside of the regular work area 8th lies, the detection signal 9 is not generated and made available until the specific period of time 15th a minimum period of time 16 has reached or exceeded.

In 2 a schematic representation to clarify an embodiment of the method for detecting an additional consumer in an energy network is shown. On the x-axis 30th is the time and on the y-axis 31 an electrical state variable 20th applied. The electrical state variable 20th is in the example one on a branch of the line 53 (see. 1 ) recorded electric current 7th . A regular work area is also shown 8th , which has a range of values (ie 0 to Ix amps) for the current 7th corresponds to.

Until a point in time tx is the recorded current 7th within the regular work area 8th . In particular, the detected current exceeds 7th until the time tx an upper limit Ix of the regular work area 8th Not. At the time tx an additional electrical consumer is connected to the branch of the energy network under consideration. This increases the recorded electrical current 7th by leaps and bounds. This increase is recognized by the power distribution unit during the comparison and a recognition signal is generated and provided. In particular, it is recognized by means of the power distribution unit that the detected electrical current 7th the upper limit Ix has exceeded.

It can be provided that a change over time 11 of the recorded current 7th is determined, wherein the detection signal is generated and provided when the detected current 7th outside of the regular work area 8th lies, that is in the example shown when the current 7th the upper limit Ix exceeds, and if the change over time 11 exceeds a specified value.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Power distribution unit

3

Control device

4th

Storage facility

5

Semiconductor fuse

6th

Current sensor

7th

detected current

8th

regular work area

9

Detection signal

10

Energy network

11

temporal change

12th

Warning message

13th

Communication interface

14th

Comparison result

15th

Duration

16

Minimum duration

20th

electrical state variable

30th

X axis

31

y-axis

50

Motor vehicle

51

Electrical system

52

battery

53

Branch

54

electrical consumer

55

additional electrical consumers

tx

time

Ix

upper limit (regular working range current)

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102014214840 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for identifying an additional consumer (54) in an energy network (10), wherein a power distribution unit (2) detects at least one electrical state variable (20) on at least one branch (53) of the energy network (10) with known electrical consumers (54) becomes, wherein the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) is compared by means of the power distribution unit (2) with a regular working area (8) of the at least one line branch (53), and wherein a detection signal (9) is generated and provided by means of the power distribution unit (2) if the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) is outside the regular working range (8) in a predetermined manner. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a temporal change (11) of the at least one state variable (20) is determined, the detection signal (9) being generated and provided when the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) is outside the regular working range in a predetermined manner (8) and when the change over time (11) exceeds a predetermined value. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that on the basis of the provided identification signal (9) at least one warning message (12) is generated and transmitted to at least one predetermined recipient by means of a communication interface (13). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one regular working area (8) is or is determined on the basis of regular working areas of the electrical loads (54) regularly supplied via the at least one line branch (53). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy network (10) has several line branches (53), the comparison being carried out separately for each line branch (53) and a regular work area (8) corresponding to the line branch (53) ) is used. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a comparison result (14) is provided together with the detection signal (9), the comparison result (14) comprising at least information about the manner in which the at least one electrical state variable (20) is outside the regular work area (8). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a period of time (15) is determined for which the at least one electrical state variable (20) lies outside the regular working area (8) in the specified manner, the detection signal (9) only being generated and is provided when the specific period of time (15) has reached or exceeded a minimum period of time (16). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy network (10) is an on-board network (51) of a motor vehicle (50), the power distribution unit (2) being a power distribution unit (2) of the motor vehicle (50). Device (1) for detecting an additional consumer (55) in an energy network (11), comprising: a power distribution unit (2), the power distribution unit (2) being designed in such a way to detect at least one electrical state variable (20) on at least one line branch (53) of the energy network (10) with known electrical consumers (54), to compare the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) with a regular working area (8) of the at least one line branch (53), and to generate and provide a detection signal (9) when the detected at least one electrical state variable (20) lies outside the regular working range (8) in a predetermined manner. Motor vehicle (50), comprising at least one device (1) according to Claim 9 , wherein the energy network (10) is an on-board network (51) of the motor vehicle (50).

Images